Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-03-09

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that had taken such entire possession of
him, gloried in it, and clung to it with
all his might.
CHAPTER III.
II am tired to-day" says Millicent,
with o little, pretty, weary gesture,
throwing her arms above her head and
laughing softly. "And idle, too. l
shan't do any German, so you may as
we'll sit down and gossip with me, In
stead"
"But"- begins Nadine feebly. She
is plainly delighted at the chance Of
scamping the German.
owe told auntie I'm going to look at
book to-day 80 you may rest yourself
in that chair with a quiet soul. I
wouldn't be as conscientious as you, Ma
dine, for kings ransom. Not that that
would be much nowadays, with all these
Nihilistic doctrines gaining ground as
they do. Are you comfortable in that
overgrown chair? You look triflc lost. :"
"I am quite happy" says Nadine, with
sigh Of content. .s,s..s,.s..,s.-..
She is feeling tagged and nervous, and
is glad to rect in Millicent's pretty room
with no chance of being allowed to move
for an hour at least. "Lucky your
says Miss Grey, dropping down upon the
hearth rug and taking her knees into her
embrace. It Is only April yet, and very
chilly. "I'm not. Oh, yes; know!
You needn't finish what Is on the tip Of
your tongue. have everything the heart
of girl can desire-the best Of aunts,
plenty of money, season before me IA
first one, too), lover, and pretty much
my own way-and still am not happy!
say, isn't it shame keeping me at my
lessons, when in another month shall be
eighteen, and presented, and all the rest
of it?''
"Wcll, certainly think they might as
we'll have let you Off the month"
''It's downright mean of auntie-and
as rule she isn't that, eh!'
II think she is the kndest woman
ever met" says Nadine, with sudden
fervor.
Her English is exceedingly pure, but
there Is just suspicion of q foreign ac-
cent in her tone when she grows in any
way excited.
"Shc is-there isn't doubt of it, " de-
clares Miss Grey, who likes to hear her
auntie praised. "But, like the rest of
us, she has her little weaknesses. Well,
never mind. dare say there are more
objectionable things in the world than
M. Lierc and Professor Vredenburg.
you have on. Where did you get it!''
II made it. You really like it!" She
stoops forward, and her lovely face grows
pink with pleased surprise. II confess
I thought it-well- bad, myself-but
to hear you praise it!'
ut is the incest thing I have seen this
many day. I congratulate you on it.
Next month, as I have told you, shall
be an cmancipated being-free of even
monsieur and the professor per-
mission to order my own gowns; and then
I shall by myself the exact fac-simile
of the one in which you are now looking
so fetching. 1t will be q sort of satisfac.
tion to you TO see how exceedingly badly
it will become me-"
"Ah! probably I shan't see," says Ma
dine.
Quick tears rise in her eyes. It is not
only that the loss of her engagement will
be a serious lessening Of the grist she
W lNC IT'LL, UuG ollC 40 Aolio OA 41iA-
hcent; and to lose her-the pretty, saucy,
kindly fricnd-that seems very bitter.
"Won't you, thought What do you
mean by that, pray''
"Why, that shall disappear with
monsieur and the professor when you
step upon the worlds stage"
Miss Grey, bringing herself nimbly to
her feet, drags Nadine from her chair,
and compels her to stand in front of her.
Snow that I have brought matters to
the correct point-now for the stage
effect" she says airily. "You see, we
are both very STACEY in our sentiments
to-day. Now, listen to my arrangement,
and be warned in time that if you object
to it murder will be done-here, IN this
very quiet room in Park lane. Auntie
is of opinion that am unfit to 60 about
without keeper, and you are to be ap-
pointed such. See? According to auntie,
you are very model of propriety, and
am exactly the reverse. You are to take
me in hand, and make me altogether
such one as thyself."
ooh, Millicent!-impossible! I could
not do that"
"And why then! What tone! what
q voice! Is it possible you are going to
say NO., to my proposal? Have you for
gotten that the consequences of such folly
on your part will mean death? My dear
Nadine, really, though, what is it that
you object tor
81 shouldn't do at all as your compan-
Joni
"Why not, you ridiculous mouse'
Well, there!-let us say no more about it
just low. I never think myself, but ]
am always sure it is an excellent thing
for other people to do when little per.
picked. However, before you begin to
think, tell me one reason for refusing to
be my guide and mentor"
A quick flash rising to Nadine's brow
dyes her face crimson.
"You are going to be marriedE' says
Millicent quickly, noting the signal OF
distress.
at is true-yes."
"And you never told mel" There is
strong reproach in her tone. Then-see.
ing the pallor on the face before her (the
strange, sorrowful whitening of the beau
tiful fuce), that has chased from it the
unwilling roses of moment sincc-and
as she marks the mournful dropping Of
the lips, and the look of terrible depres-
sion, nay, fear, that betrays itself in the
shrinking form-pity overcomes her
sense of i'll usage, and some sharp inner
sense conveys to her the truth of 1t all.
you are afraid of something! You do
not love him!' she cries impulsvely,
slipping down on the ground beside the
lounge on which her friend has sunk rs
though unnerved and exhausted. "Come,
you shall tell it all to me now, am de-
termined-late in the day as it is for your
confidence. Is he old, ugly-a veritable
Bluebeard, with Golfers lined with gold;
and are your people compelling you to
marry him for the Ike of his money:'
Her tone is half playful, half serious
wholly winning.
Nadine gives up to it.
"No. 1t is not that" she says. "My
mother would be the last to urge me to
such q marriage. -and-he is not
old, or ugly, or overburdcned with
wealth.
Gam I to think, then, that he is
young, and handsome, and poor, and tslat
you are still blind to his attractions"
"That is it," returns Nadine family.
"I-when he is with me, talking to me,
looking SO kindly at me Che is very kind)
Il tell myself that l do love him! But
when he is away FROM Ali" with n
quick shudder, II know then that my
thought is vain"
Romance is dcad!" declares Miss
Grey. Handsome as an Apollo, and